Reading every day may reduce dementia risk, according to a study published in JAMA Psychiatry in July 2018. Researchers at Hong Kong’s Elderly Health Centres tracked more than 15,000 people ages 65 and older for five years. All of the participants were dementia-free at the study’s conception. Dementia risk was significantly lower among those who reported daily participation in intellectual…
DailyCaring.com, here’s how to recognize the 10 common signs of hearing loss in seniors. Hearing loss is common in seniors Hearing loss can’t be seen, so it’s usually noticed as a change in behavior. You might notice that your older adult frequently asks you to repeat yourself, keeps the TV volume very loud, or complains that you always mumble. If…
For seniors with arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve pain, function, mood, and quality of life. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, here’s a look at how to increase physical activity safely. Why is physical activity important for people with arthritis? If you have arthritis, participating in joint-friendly physical activity can improve your arthritis pain, function,…
If a loved one has recently been diagnosed with a serious, chronic disease and you are starting to search for care options, you’ve probably come across the term “palliative care.” Often, the first question people ask themselves is “does palliative care mean a person is dying?” For many years, people have considered hospice and palliative care to be synonymous. Actually,…
Many people with whom I have spoken over the years tell me that they don’t believe they need an advance directive for a variety of reasons. Some say, they just don’t care what happens to them. Others say that their loved ones “will know what to do” when the time comes. Just not caring is one thing but it has…
Depression is a serious mental health condition that often goes unrecognized and untreated among seniors. That’s why assessing an older adult’s mental health needs is so important. We expect our older relatives to slow down as they age, but a significant drop in energy level or a marked change in mood or behavior could signal a more serious matter. Here…
May is National Arthritis Awareness Month. According to SeniorLiving.org, Arthritis is extremely common among seniors with nearly half of people age 65 and older suffering from some type of arthritis pain. Here’s a look at the types of arthritis, signs, and treatments. The tricky thing about arthritis is that it can attack almost any part of the body at any…
Many medical conditions can cause balance issues in seniors. However, most balance problems result from inner ear issues. The Mayo Clinic provides an article on the problems, symptoms and causes. Here’s a look. Balance problems can make you feel dizzy, as if the room is spinning, unsteady, or lightheaded. You might feel that you're going to fall down. These feelings…
If you’ve made the decision to hire a caregiver for a loved one, you probably have a long list of questions. One of your questions might be whether to hire an independent caregiver or use a home care agency. It’s helpful to have a clear understanding of the differences between the two in order to make the right decision for…
Oral health, and dental problems in particular, are some of the most common health problems experienced by older adults. HealthInAging.org gives us a look at five common issues, including oral cancer. Understanding the Problem Dental problems are some of the most common health problems experienced by older adults. In fact, people over 65 with natural teeth have more tooth decay…
